Java Films has snapped up world rights to Douglas Kass’ feature documentary out of the Berlin Film Festival, “Emptying the Skies.” The film is based on this “New Yorker” essay by bestselling author Jonathan Franzen, which looks at the rampant poaching of migratory songbirds.

The film previously played DOC NYC and the Hamptons International Film Festival.

Here’s the brief official synopsis:

Songbird populations have been drastically declining for decades, and a number of species face
extinction imminently. The film follows an intrepid squad of bird-lovers who
risk their lives waging a secret war to save these endangered creatures and
features in depth interviews with worldwide best selling author Jonathan
Franzen.

A domestic distribution partner will be announced soon. You can check out a Vimeo teaser trailer for the film here.